Doctors who specialize in treating pediatric medical conditions are now just a click away from families being cared for at Saint Francis Healthcare. Through a service called Nemours CareConnect, specialists at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children are able to remotely assess patients through an iPad using a secure video connection.

"When our specialists have the opportunity to put their eyes on a patient, it provides an added level of communication that you just cannot get over the phone," said Nick Slamon, MD, medical director of telehealth, Nemours Delaware. "CareConnect allows care teams to better determine the safest and most necessary care for the child and family."

Should a child need to be transported to Nemours, CareConnect allows the transport team to better prepare for the unique needs of that child during the process, such as identifying proper fluids and medications. "Transporting a critically-ill child requires very careful planning. CareConnect enhances that planning process and improves safety for the child," said Slamon.

Conversely, CareConnect can also help keep care local and provide significant cost savings. "CareConnect can be that ‘real-time’ second opinion, reassuring a care team at the partner hospital that the child is stable and can remain at their local hospital, which removes an extra facility fee and additional tests," Slamon said.

Saint Francis Healthcare and duPont Hospital for Children first began working together in July of 2012, with Nemours pediatric hospitalists and neonatologists providing coverage for labor & delivery, the well nursery, and the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This coverage allows more children to be cared for at the hospital closest to their home.

"CareConnect is an exciting new chapter in the future of health care for our community and its youngest residents," said Scott Dixon, DO, medical director, Saint Francis Healthcare Emergency Department. "Having Nemours specialists available for patients within our community is an invaluable resource in the event of a childhood illness or medical emergency."

Established as The Nemours Foundation through the legacy and philanthropy of Alfred I. duPont, Nemours offers pediatric clinical care, research, education, advocacy and prevention programs to all families in the communities it serves.